Manchester United ‘Open Talks’ With Summer Transfer Target

Fernandes In Fresh Link

Image: Anton Zaitsev

Manchester United are already in talks with Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes according to reports from Portugal.

Fernandes is being linked with a number of clubs with both Liverpool and Chelsea said to be keeping tabs on the 24-year-old. However, the Portugese newspaper A Bola claims United have stolen a march on their rivals by opening talks with the player. The Red Devils have also been in contact with Sporting over a possible move.

Fernandes has a release clause of €100million (£90million) in his contract with the Portugese club. However, some outlets are claiming that United could end up paying half that amount – €50million.

There is every possibility that Manchester United will be able to negotiate a discount to the release fee. Sporting are still in some financial turmoil following events at the end of last season. The club’s players were publicly criticised by president Bruno De Carvalho following a Europa League that ended any hopes they had of making the Champions League.

A group of around 50 Sporting supporters then turned up at the club’s training ground and began to physically attack the players. Nine of the first-team squad tore up their contracts and left the club last summer, Goalkeeper Rui Patricio, defensive midfielder William Carvalho and winger Gelson Martins were among those to walk. De Carvalho later quit and Sporting said they would file a complaint to Fifa demanding compensation.

Fernandes is in his second season with Sporting since joining from Sampdoria in 2017. But his goalscoring record is impressive. After hitting 16 goals in 36 games last season he has already scored 22 in 39 this season.